Chaos Over Sarym
Chaos über Sarym
Plot Summary
David terGorden, still seeking the Buds of the Tree to understand his role in reactivating the Long Row, returns to Sarym. He finds a cool reception, as his past association with the Council still casts a shadow. Despite this, he continues his research with the help of Aura Damona Mar. Meanwhile, the freighter TAMERLAN, carrying supplies and 1500 Silent Drivers in hibernation, encounters Cosmic Spores in the Norvo System. These spores, originating from the first planet's PSI-Aura, rapidly infest the ship, dissolving its hull and transforming its crew. Claude Farrell fights valiantly but is eventually forced into hibernation to survive.
On Arioch, Oinji, a Hurricane Sailer, and his companion Kuschelmutz (an Alien-Alien) observe the changing PSI-Net and the emergence of Change Seeds. Oinji attempts to rescue a fellow Hurricane Sailer from the Change Seeds but is himself infected. He and his tribe retreat to the Windless Desert seeking refuge, but face further dangers, including a Crystal Devil and the silencing of the Source.
Back on Sarym, a rescue team including Llewellyn 709 and Mandorla investigates the TAMERLAN. They discover the transformed bodies of the crew and the hibernating Silent Drivers, untouched by the spores. As more spores approach, they return to Sarym. Lyda Mar warns of the impending sealing-off of the Norvo System and the danger to David terGorden, who is in the PSI-Aura. Aura Damona Mar and Narda attempt to extract David terGorden from the PSI-Net, where he is trapped. They succeed, transporting him to the Himmelsstürmer, an organic spaceship.
Aura Damona Mar reveals that the Norvo System is isolating itself due to the Modification Submatrix, an ancient program. They decide to awaken a sleeping Collector, a giant organic spaceship, to prevent the sealing-off. They board the Collector and attempt to influence its information storages. Meanwhile, Llewellyn 709 and a team attempt to rescue the sleepers from the TAMERLAN, but their ship is attacked by spores, forcing them to eject in escape pods. Nayala and a team venture into the brood vaults beneath Sarym to destroy the Cosmic Spores, but are trapped. Ultimately, Aura Damona Mar manages to partially awaken the Collector, reversing the sealing-off process, but activating an ancient command to seek out the Buds of the Tree. The Collector departs, carrying David terGorden, Aura Damona Mar, and Narda, leaving Sarym with a two-year reprieve.
Key Events
- 01 TAMERLAN encounters Cosmic Spores in the Norvo System and is overrun.
- 02 Claude Farrell enters hibernation to survive the TAMERLAN infestation.
- 03 Oinji observes the changing PSI-Net and the emergence of Change Seeds on Arioch.
- 04 Llewellyn 709 and Mandorla investigate the TAMERLAN and discover the transformed crew.
- 05 Lyda Mar warns of the impending sealing-off of the Norvo System.
- 06 Aura Damona Mar and Narda extract David terGorden from the PSI-Net.
- 07 Llewellyn 709's rescue team is attacked by spores, forcing them to eject.
- 08 Nayala's team ventures into the brood vaults beneath Sarym to destroy the Cosmic Spores.
- 09 Aura Damona Mar partially awakens the Collector, reversing the sealing-off process.
- 10 The Collector departs, carrying David terGorden, Aura Damona Mar, and Narda, to seek out the Buds of the Tree.
- 11 Oinji's tribe is decimated by Change Seeds and a Zone-without-Power.
- 12 Lyda Mar announces a two-year reprieve for Sarym before the system seals off permanently.
Characters
David terGorden — A Terranaut and former Lord Colonel seeking the Buds of the Tree to understand his role in the Long Row. He is trapped in the PSI-Net and later travels with Aura Damona Mar and Narda on the Collector.
Aura Damona Mar — The daughter of Lyda Mar and Damon Cradock, conceived in the PSI-Aura of Sarym. She helps David terGorden and is instrumental in reversing the sealing-off of the Norvo System.
Narda — A telepath and Dragon Witch who accompanies David terGorden and Aura Damona Mar. She assists in rescuing David terGorden from the PSI-Net and helps awaken the Collector.
Claude Farrell — A chain-smoking Terranaut and Driver who is the first to encounter the Change Seeds on the TAMERLAN. He enters hibernation to survive the infestation.
Oinji — A Hurricane Sailer from Arioch who fights against the Change Seeds. He loses his tribe and his companion Kuschelmutz in the struggle.
Lyda Mar — The mother of Aura Damona Mar and an oracle living in the PSI-Aura of the maritime coral city. She warns of the impending sealing-off and helps rescue David terGorden.
Kuschelmutz — An Alien-Alien who accompanies Oinji and helps him fight the Change Seeds. He sacrifices himself to save Oinji.
Llewellyn 709 — A Terranaut and Strap-man who leads a rescue team to the TAMERLAN. He is forced to eject from his ship when it is attacked by spores.
Mandorla — A former Queen who accompanies Llewellyn 709 on the rescue mission to the TAMERLAN and later joins Nayala in the brood vaults.
Asen-Ger — A Terranaut who coordinates the rescue efforts and informs the Council of the events.
Nayala — A Dragon Witch who leads a team into the brood vaults beneath Sarym to destroy the Cosmic Spores.
Maya Lafrand — A Driver who accompanies Llewellyn 709 on the rescue mission to the TAMERLAN.
Drag Eltariot — A Driver who accompanies Llewellyn 709 on the rescue mission to the TAMERLAN.
Locations
Sarym — A green planet and the center of the Terranauts, where David terGorden returns to continue his research.
Norvo System — The solar system where the events of the story take place, including Sarym and Arioch.
TAMERLAN — A Driver freighter carrying supplies and Silent Drivers that is overrun by Cosmic Spores.
Windless Desert — A region on Arioch where there are no large ground elevations against which the planetary storms could break.
PSI-Aura — A psionic field surrounding the coral cities of Sarym, where Lyda Mar and Aura Damona Mar reside.
Himmelsstürmer — An organic, plant-based spaceship grown for David terGorden.
Collector — A giant organic spaceship that is awakened to prevent the sealing-off of the Norvo System.
Brood Vaults — Underground caverns beneath Sarym where the Cosmic Spores ripen.
Ships & Vehicles
TAMERLAN — A Driver freighter used to transport supplies and sleepers.
Himmelsstürmer — An organic, plant-based spaceship.
Collector — A giant organic spaceship.
Technology & Concepts
Buds of the Tree — Enigmatic beings that David terGorden seeks for information about his role in the Long Row.
Long Row — The Weapon of the Ancients, a defense against entropy catastrophes.
Council — The governing body that previously ruled Earth.
Kaiser Force — An entropy-accelerating force that threatens the galaxy.
Silent Drivers — Individuals with damaged PSI sectors of the brain.
Cosmic Spores — Life-form changers that modify organic material into plant growth adapted to space.
Change Seeds — Modified versions of Hurricane Sailer wings that carry no body.
PSI-Net — A system-spanning network of psionic energy.
Modification Submatrix — An ancient program that causes the Norvo System to isolate itself.
Collectors — Deep-space probes of the Buds of the Tree.
Zone-without-Power — A dangerous area that drains energy.
Crystal Devil — A conically shaped structure that blazes in all the colors of the spectrum.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of isolation, sacrifice, and the struggle against overwhelming forces. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with moments of hope and despair. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with a focus on the characters' efforts to survive and prevent the sealing-off of the Norvo System.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing David terGorden's search for the Buds of the Tree and the threat of Kaiser Force.
Leads into: The search for the Buds of the Tree and the effort to avert the impending catastrophe.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the Cosmic Spores, the PSI-Net, and the history of the Buds of the Tree.